He didn’t bother turning his cell phone on until after the taxi dropped him off outside quantico and he was inside his jeep cherokee. When he did he had a million texts, ok so that was a bit of an exaggeration, but every member of his team had messaged him asking him how he and Amora was doing and if the Simmon’s were alright. And of course, offering their help if he or they needed it. He had a few missed calls from Madlaina and several text messages that he would answer once he was home and showered. It was about a 30 minute drive from Quantico to his house and he still needed to go by Louie’s.
‘@ Quantico. B there soon.’ He hit the send button and started his Jeep. He heard the chime just as he was pulling out of the parking garage and was driving towards the first intersection. He grabbed his phone from the cradle and selected the ‘voice text’ option and then plugged it back into the car. He hit the button and listened as his phone droned out the reply from Louie.
‘Gr8 timing, ole man. Hot blonde awaits you and a letter from a blast from your past.’
Freeman frowned, muttering out loud to himself. “Hot blonde? Blast from my past?”
Louie knew what Faye looked like so he knew she wasn’t the ‘hot blonde’ Louie was referring to and he would never refer to her as a ‘blast from his past.’ Though to be fair, Freeman had more than a few blasts from his past that resurfaced when their small town got word that they were no longer together, but he never gave them a second thought or the time of day. After he was done breaking and worked on piecing himself back together, he focused solely on his daughter who had been the backing to why he chose to go into the academy to begin with.
‘Daddy, how come you don’t work in an office like Uncle Christian does?’
‘Because Uncle Christian went to college and I didn’t.’
‘How come?’
‘Because I had you, silly.’
‘Well, I think you should go back to college.’
It was a small conversation, but the heaviest one he’d had in a long while. He’d always dreamed of moving away and going to college. Living it big and on his own. And to be fair, he did live big and on his own, just not the way he originally planned. His life was full of love and everyone he cared about was taken care of and healthy. What more could he dare ask for?
He shook his head physically, trying to clear his thoughts and keep awake. He knew it was dangerous to drive while tired, but he knew what he was capable of. Though if he had Amora or Sophia with him, he never would have chanced it. It wasn’t until he was five minutes out from the apartment complex that he started rubbing his eyes and regretting his decision. “Maybe I should have took a nap back at Quantico.” He muttered to himself out loud before smacking his face a few times. “Wake up Rodriguez.”
He pulled into the parking complex, immediately spotting Heather’s red corvette and sighed out loud. “Fuck.”
He pulled in next to Louie’s Tahoe, killing the engine and leaning back against the headrest. “Fuck me.” He mumbled. He leaned forward, took the keys out of the ignition and grabbed his cell phone. He climbed out of his jeep and slammed the door shut, a little more than what was necessary, before hitting the automatic lock and alarm buttons on his key chain. He headed to the lobby door without turning around even though he could feel her eyes boring into the back of his head. He thought he heard her call his name, but he ignored it. He punched in the code to the lobby and threw the door open before walking inside. Out of habit, he peeked up the stairs to make sure Ms. Hendersen wasn’t waiting at the top before he walked over to Louie’s front door, knocking on it.
He could hear Emma on the other side of the door, followed by Louie’s voice and the sounds of running footsteps. “Hey Freeman.” Louie smiled, pulling him in for a hug.
“Daddy!” Emma stopped her little foot. “I say I d’et it!”
“You’re not old enough to answer the door yet, Em.” Louie picked her up and kissed her cheek. “She’s usually asleep by now, but …” Louie raised his eyebrows and nodded his head in the general direction of the parking lot outside. Freeman knew with whom he was referring to. “Not my business though. Come on in.”
Freeman walked into his old apartment, but it no longer felt like home to him. “So, what did you want to talk about that you couldn’t wait until after you’ve had some sleep.”
“I’m not tired.”
“Liar, I made a fresh pot of coffee for you though just in case you might need something and didn’t want to crash here tonight.” Louie walked to the kitchen and with one hand he reached up and grabbed a mug down and put it on the counter before reaching with the same hand to grab the pot of coffee and pour him some. “Black, right?”
“Mmm..” Freeman walked to the picture window and stood looking out at the parking lot. Heather stood by her car, pacing. He knew it would only be a matter of minutes before she worked up to courage to go press the button to buzz the manager. She looked, well she definitely looked better. She had dark circles under her eyes and it looked like she hadn’t shampooed her hair in at least a week, give or take a day or two. “Right, so, who is this blast from my past you referred to in your text?”
“Oh yea!” He put Emma down and walked over to the bookshelf by the front door and grabbed a manila envelope. “I didn’t open it, but not because she warned me not to, but because I know it’s a federal offense to open someones mail.” He shook his head as he walked over and grabbed two coffee cups and then back across the kitchen, setting them down on the kitchen table. He took the seat with his back to the living room so he could watch through the opened doorway into Emma’s room.
“The woman who gave this to you, did she leave her name?” He asked as he took his seat across from him, his back to the kitchen, facing the living room giving him a clear line of sight to Heather, who was now talking to herself. He knew it was only a matter of time before she came buzzing the manager’s apartment.
“Yea, well, not exactly, but I knew she was a blast from your past. Though to be honest, Freeman, she seemed not like what you described before.”
“What’s her name?”
“Aida.. Aida Juarez.”
Freeman took a long, deep breath before letting it out slowly, leaning back away from from the envelope. “What all did she say to you, exactly.”
“She asked me if I knew you and what my name was and if I knew where to find you. I recognized her of course, Amora favors her. So, I was prepared as well as I could be. She seemed genuinely… I don’t know how to say it, it was like she respected me for calling her out.”
“Calling her out?”
“I referred to her by name before she told me.”
He listened to Louie as he recounted his interactions with Aida over a week ago. “I would have called you, but I knew you were working a difficult case. I’ve been following it on the news. Did you catch the bastard?”
“We did.” Freeman nodded, rubbing his thumb on the side of the now cool glass of the coffee mug. “Did she say anything else?”
“She just wanted me to tell you that she was sorry and she was trying to make her wrong doings right.”
“You said she didn’t look like how I told you, what do you mean by that?”
“Well, she had on no makeup and she looked like she hadn’t slept in months.” He stood and grabbed Freeman’s coffee mug, walking to the counter as he continued talking while he poured them both another glass of coffee. “Her hair was a mess and she was wearing clothes that were way too big for her body.”
“Hmm.. and you’re sure it was Aida.”
“100%. I even have her on surveillance. I pulled it as soon as she left.”
“Which was how?”
“Taxi. I thought that was odd considering she’s supposed to be laying low, right?”
Freeman nodded. “She’s still considered at large.. Which, why didn’t you call the police?”
“There was something… almost pathetic about her. She wasn’t this stark raging crazy bitch I always pictured her to be. I figured she was either really high, taking meds to help her with her bipolar disorder, or..”
Freeman walked out of the door, closing it quietly behind him. He turned and saw Heather standing outside the lobby door. He walked up to it and stood staring at her before motioning for her to get back. He punched in the code to unlock the door and let himself out before she could try to push past him.
“You’re not even going to invite me inside? Or send your kid back out here to lie to me and say that you no longer live here anymore like I’m stupid or something.”
“Heather.. That kid is 19 years old. I’m 26. I would have to of been like, seven years old when I Fathered him.”
“Oh.. ok, well.. Who is he then? Your friend? Your girlfriend’s son?” She crossed her arms defensively.
He shook his head. “No, he’s the new Property Manager.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously. Louie has been the Property Manager here for the past. Almost 5 months now.”
“Oh..” She frowned, looking down at the sidewalk. “Ok, but.. I mean, why haven’t you returned any of my text messages?”
“Because I blocked your number.”
Her eyebrows shot up and her mouth made a pop noise as her jaw dropped way. “Why?”
“Not that I need to give you a reason, but it was because you wouldn’t stop calling me after I told you I was done. And then you had the audacity to speak to my daughter. Who the fuck do you think you are? You are not my wife, you are not my girlfriend. You had no right, NO RIGHT, to speak to my daughter.”
She flinched as he shouted the words in her face. “I-I’m s-so sorry, Freeman. You’re right, I had no right to speak to her. I-I have nothing to offer you in terms of an excuse on my behalf.”
“I don’t want excuses, Heather. You crossed a line.” Freeman started walking towards his jeep and could hear her heels clicking behind him. He stopped in the middle of the parking lot and turned around. “Are you pregnant?”
“W-what?! Why would ask you me that?”
“It’s a logical question. You look like you haven’t properly cared for yourself in weeks. Your face is gaunt, your hair is unwashed and looks like it hasn’t seen a brush in probably more than a week. You’re also dehydrated.”
“What are you a doctor?”
“No, I’m a Father and it’s also my job to analyze what I see in front of me.”
“Your job?” she air quoted, rolling her eyes, snickering. “Right.”
“I am a FBI Agent for the BAU.”
She started laughing, but when she looked up at him she realized he was not kidding. “And FBI Agent? Seriously? When?”
“Awhile. Heather, what is all this about. I thought you understood that I was done. I thought I made it clear from the beginning I wasn’t looking for serious.”
“I know, I just.. I miss you. I needed to see you. You’re all I think about, I- I’ve fallen in love with you, Freeman.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. He put his hands on her shoulders and gently, but firmly, pushed her away from him. His lips still pressed in a thin line.
“You don’t want to kiss me? Maybe if I-” She reached out to grab at the waist of his jeans and he deflected.
Freeman sighed, closing his eyes. “No, you’re not in love with me, Heather. You want to be in love with me, but you’re not really. You’re still in pain over the loss of your ex. I sympathize with you for that, but … you really need to talk to someone about all this. For your health. Mentally and emotionally.”
Her eyes teared up as she nodded her head. “How can you be so sure that I’m not in love with you. I feel like I am.”
He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “How does this make you feel?” He asked as he rubbed her back and smoothed the back of her hair that was wrapped at the nape of her neck in a bun. “Does this make you feel good. Calm?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“This isn’t love. This is need. This is.. This is just you trying to fill a void.” He pulled back away from her and wiped her eyes. “It’s loneliness and I know that better than most. It will get better, but this.. This isn’t healthy, Heather.”
She nodded her head, sniffling. She tried to smile, but it was weak. “Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.” He guided her back towards her little red corvette and opened the drivers side door for her. “You can rest here for awhile if you need to. Louie won’t mind.”
“It’s alright, I’m fine.”
“It’s ok to ask for help, Heather.”
“I know.” Her brow furrowed. “I know.. I’ll-I think I’ll go to my friends house. Thanks Freeman.”
“Sure.” He patted the top of her car and stepped away, allowing her to back out of the parking space.
He watched her shift into first before she turned and smiled at him. She rolled down her window and beckoned for him to step towards her. He did so, but was cautious. He placed one hand on top of her car and leaned down. “I just wanted to thank you for everything. I hope she realizes what a great man she’s missing out on.”
“Thanks Heather. I hope you get what you’re looking for, too.”
She smiled then took a deep breath and turned to face forward. He stood and watched her leave before he turned and climbed into his Jeep. He pulled out his cell phone and called Julian. He answered on the second ring. “Hey, Jules. Do we have any dogs retiring from the force? I would like to adopt one, yes another one, but it’s for my sister. Her house keeps getting broken into and I feel like she would feel so much safer knowing .. exactly. Great! I’ll be over there in the morning. 8:00 good for you? Awesome, I’ll meet you there then.”
Freeman smiled and put his phone in it’s dock and pulled on his seatbelt. He was turning the keys in the ignition when he felt like he was being watched. He looked around and didn’t see anything, or anyone, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t someone there. “Aida?” He whispered out loud to himself. Then shook his head. “Naah..” he shook his head. She wouldn’t come back if she knew he wasn’t there. She wasn’t stupid. He looked at the manilla envelope he’d tossed onto the passenger side of his jeep before taking a deep breath and putting the car into reverse. He’ll look at it once he was home and could focus all his attention on it.
He pulled out of the parking lot of the apartment complex and headed towards the small diner to pick up some food to go. His stomach was grumbling and he knew he’d end up with an ulcer with all the coffee he drank on an empty stomach. He shoved the manilla envelope into the glove compartment before jumping out of the car to pick up his usual. When he stepped back outside, it was pouring down rain. He took a deep breath. He did miss that smell. Summer Rain in Simveda was amazing, but it also brought back memories of Faye and good times that still were made him feel bitter and sad. He sighed and hot footed it to his car. He placed the food on the passenger seat and high tailed it back to home which was 45 minutes out.
He was stopped at the intersection just before the on ramp he needed to take to get on the freeway that would take him out of town and headed towards his house when his phone rang. He pressed the button on his steering wheel, “Rodriguez.”
“Hey, it’s Jules.”
“I’m driving, what’s up?”
“I’ll make it fast. So, there were two dogs being retired out. One is already spoken for by his partner and the other is Ruby.”
“Really? Ruby is being retired out? She’s amazing, why?”
“I have no idea, but it’s stated she’s to retire out. Maybe because her handler passed? They sometimes do that if the dog can’t bond with another person.”
“I see, well I’ll take my chances. I’ve worked with Ruby before and had no issues with her.”
“Great, I can bring by the paperwork now and leave it in your mailbox that way we just have to process it in the morning and you can take Ruby then.”
“Is anyone else interested in Ruby?”
“Mm.. well, no, but no one else knew she was being retired. Why?”
“Well, I just don’t want someone to get her before me. I’ll come by there and fill out the paper work and then process it. Shouldn’t be more than 15 minutes, right?”
“Less, probably. No one’s here but me. I’m just typing up my report for my case load and then I was going to leave. If you’re on your way you should bring food.”
“Done. I stopped by the Diner.”
“Ahhh, was my girl working?”
“She’s always working.”
“Awesome! Okay, great. I’ll get the paperwork ready and then Ruby can go home with you tonight. Bishop will be excited.”
Freeman hit the button on his steering wheel and flipped the signal to alert the cars behind him he’s turning. He pulled off onto the shoulder and waited for the vehicles to pass him. When it was clear, he flipped a bitch and headed back towards Simveda’s Police Station. It took him only 10 minutes to get there and less than five to get the paperwork filled out. They bullshitted about work and friends and their new partners (well Julian’s new partner and Freeman’s new team) while the paperwork was processed and approved. Once it was finished they walked over to the kennel and with the new red leash he purchased from Petco, along with a new bed and some toys and dog food he knew they fed the dogs here and that Ruby was used to that was now in the backseat of his jeep, he lead Ruby out to his Jeep and opened the front door for her to jump in which she did so gladly. He shook hands with Julian before walking around his vehicle and climbing into the drivers side.
“How about we visit our ole friend, Bishop? What do you say, girl?” He asked Ruby, who barked twice in response, making Freeman laugh. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
He pulled out of the parking lot and headed back towards the freeway in which he just came from, heading home.
The only real issue here is Heather you and I are both fantastic and we're both always on the internet but we both need to get up at 8 lmao what are we doing? I gotta go the fuck to sleep but nope it isn't gonna happen hahaha
